The club's American owner Lerner - said to be shocked at O'Neill's swift exit - has flown into Birmingham to meet Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner as the club look to replace a man who led them to sixth in the league, and to the Carling Cup final, last season.

BBC: Aston Villa hope to name Martin O'Neill successor soon

Ireland manager Eddie O'Sullivan said he was shocked by the decision, having initially assumed the whole affair was an administrative mistake.

BBC: Sheahan to contest ban

Early on Tuesday evening, a shocked-looking Bill O'Reilly, a firebrand conservative talk-show host, went on the Republicans' favourite news broadcaster, Fox News.

BBC: US election: Republicans must change or die

Dr. Bill O'Callahan, the emergency room doctor who shocked her back to life, agrees.

CNN: Doctor says near-death experiences are in the mind

In early 2005, Fallon shocked racing by leaving Stoute to join top Irish trainer O'Brien.

BBC: SPORT | Other Sport... | Horse Racing | Profile: Kieren Fallon

Mr O'Neill said the woman who found the documents in her garden "was shocked".

BBC: Sensitive medical records found in Londonderry garden